J. Watumull Planetarium

Hawaiʻi’s Gateway to the Stars

Bishop Museum’s Planetarium shows are a must-see for all Museum visitors! Immerse yourself in the night sky, travel from Hawai‘i to Tahiti by the stars, and more. Tickets may be purchased at the Admission Desk, or you may purchase your tickets online today if you know when you plan to visit!

11:00 am

In My Backyard – Planetarium

(25 min — Tickets $2.95)

A tour of the night sky with cartoons and song. Recommended for ages 8 years old and younger, and any adults in tow.

11:30 am

Wayfinders – Planetarium

(25 min — Tickets $2.95)

This fulldome program puts you on the deck of the voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa as you explore traditional Polynesian navigation and find your own way to Tahiti from Hawaiʻi. Produced by Bishop Museum in collaboration with Polynesian Voyaging Society and 1001 Stories. The shorter version of our signature show.

12:30 pm

The Sky Tonight – Planetarium

(25 min — Tickets $2.95)

In this live program you’ll explore the current evening sky in Hawai’i under the guidance of one of our planetarium presenters, enhanced with our new fulldome Digistar 4 system. You’ll get a star map (yours to take home!) to help find tonight’s constellations and planets.

1:30 pm

Wayfinders – Planetarium

(50 min — Tickets $2.95)

This fulldome program puts you on the deck of the voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa as you explore traditional Polynesian navigation and find your own way to Tahiti from Hawaiʻi. Produced by Bishop Museum in collaboration with Polynesian Voyaging Society and 1001 Stories. The longer version of our signature show.

3:30 pm

The Sky Tonight – Planetarium

(25 min — Tickets $2.95)

In this live program you’ll explore the current evening sky in Hawai’i under the guidance of one of our planetarium presenters, enhanced with our new fulldome Digistar 4 system. You’ll get a star map (yours to take home!) to help find tonight’s constellations and planets.

NASA’s Earth Observing Mission

There is an additional $2.95 fee per person for each daytime Planetarium show.

Bishop Museum members will continue to enjoy FREE admission to the daily Planetarium shows; members who wish to attend a Planetarium show just need to pick up a planetarium show ticket first at the Museum Ticket Box.

Tickets are for a specific show and are available onsite from 9 a.m. on the day of the show.

About the Planetarium

Come experience our Bishop Museum J. Watumull Planetarium. Our Chronos II star machine provides one of the most vivid, realistic recreations of the night sky available today, with 8,500 pinpoint stars and realistic, bright planets. Our Digistar full dome video system covers the entire dome in immersive video, allowing us to fly through the rings of Saturn or into the depths of the Orion nebula. The late 2012 renovations also include a seamless interior dome, a 5.1 sound system and LED lighting system.

Bishop Museum’s Jhamandas Watumull Planetarium was the first planetarium in Polynesia. Originally called the Kilolani Planetarium, the Watumull Planetarium has served over six million visitors and students since it opened its doors on December 11, 1961. The planetarium has 70 seats and serves 70,000 people a year. The planetarium focuses on programs about Hawai‘i; a hallmark of its programs is the blending of live and prerecorded elements within each program.